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Brijesh Shandilya: Playback Singers Are Not Paid Much

He is the voice behind songs like ‘Banno Tera Swagger’ from ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’, Jai Ho’s title song, ‘Mushkil Hai Apna Mel Priye’ from the recently released, ‘Mukkabaaz’. We’re talking about singer Brijesh Shandilya, who, in this interview, talks about his journey so far, how he sees competition, and a lot more.

Brijesh Shandilya

Firstly, which is the most boring question you’ve been asked?

(Laughed) I don’t feel anyone has asked me a boring question till now, or I can say that I don’t find any question boring as such, but yes if someone talks something inexplicable then I may find that really boring other than that I don’t find any question boring as such.

Now answer that boring question.

Till now I have not found any question boring as such when I will find any question boring I will give an answer (laughs).

Did you always want to become a singer?

Yes, 100 percent yes, as soon as soon as I got to know that I can sing my only focus was to become a singer. I never thought of doing anything else, in fact in between someone offered me a role in acting but I said a no. As I knew I don’t want to change my focus and concentrate only on singing, singing is my passion I live singing and will die singing, singing is the only thing I live for.

How do you see competition?

Competition is only for people who think they are competing with someone else, I don’t think I am like others. I think I am unique, my voice quality is unique, my singing style is unique and my work is unique and different from others. In fact, I feel that every individual is different from one another and each one of us should identify our own personality rather than competing with someone else. I don’t believe in competition. Your competition is only with yourself and not with anyone else. Competition is only for those people who are running with someone else in a race to come first. I am not at all a part of that race and I only want to compete with myself rather than competing with someone else.

Which is that one song of yours you thought would work but didn’t?

Golmaal 4 title track is the one song that I think would really do well, but unfortunately, it didn’t. Like all the other songs from Golmaal 4 did, I had a lot of expectations from this song of mine, the movie did well at the box office as well as the other songs from the film. So yes the one song of mine which I thought would do well but didn’t do well is Golmaal 4 title track.

Are you very self-critical?

I get very angry with my critics and I am sure everyone does but I don’t show anger, in fact, I convert that negativity into positivity for myself through my singing and try to do a lot better. If someone says that you are not able to do this or you cannot do this, I focus a lot on that particular song or the thing which people think I can’t do and try to achieve that. There are a lot of people even now who feel that I cannot sing but I take their negativity and convert it into positivity for myself. In fact, because of your critics, I think one should learn a lot and become a lot better.

Do you feel singers are paid enough?

(Laughs) To be honest, playback singers are not paid much. But yes, in stage shows singers are paid really well, in fact, singers are paid more than the hard work they put in for a stage show. But in playback singing, singers are not paid what they deserve. Playback singers should be paid a little more for the hard work and the effort they put in for singing a song.

What’s the best and worst part of being a singer?

Not at all, there is nothing worst about being a singer, everything about being a singer is the best for me. I have never thought of this, I never feel alone if there is any problem in life or any pain, I sing songs to enjoy my life. So there is nothing bad about being a singer if there is anything negative I convert it into positivity with my singing. So yes, there is nothing worst about being a singer.

What do you do when you’re not singing?

Well, when I am not singing I like to travel places. I love Uttaranchal, Mysore, and Goa. Other than traveling, I love to cook when I am free. I also listen to other singers in my free time. Also, I love to give some time towards social causes or I like being involved in social activities. I am a very alert citizen and aware about everything around me. I love my free time.

What are your upcoming projects?

Well, I have a lot of upcoming songs in near future but for now, I can say “Happy Bhaag Jayegi 2” along with a lot of other songs which are in the pipeline. I will definitely keep you updated with my upcoming projects.

Anything else which you want to say?

I would like to say this to all the singers in my field that, firstly concentrate on yourself and your own work. Use your energy only on yourself and don’t think too much about your critics. There is no competition with anyone else and this is a fact, in fact, we learn from each and every individual. Concentrate on your work religiously and you will come out of any problems and struggles in life.

Be true to your work and do not try to follow other singers and create your own identity. Also, I would like to add that it was really very nice answering to all the questions asked by The Urban Asian Team, thanks a lot.